High Performance Computing
Optimizing codes and opening up science: Emmanuelle Saillard's challenge
Date:
Changed on 12/12/2025
Passionate about science since middle school, Emmanuelle Saillard turned to research after a career path rich in twists and turns and discoveries. Now a research scientist with the Storm project team at the Inria Center at the University of Bordeaux, she develops methods to make parallel programs more reliable and efficient. Committed to scientific outreach and the “Moi informaticienne, moi mathématicienne” (I am a computer scientist, I am a mathematician) program, she also works to encourage young girls to pursue careers in digital technology.
History and career path
Can you tell us about your background?
In 8th grade, I wanted to be a math teacher because of a teacher who had a big impact on me. I took a prep class because it was presented to me as “the royal road,” but I quickly realized that preparing for engineering exams wasn't for me.
I liked physics and chemistry, but not so much math, and I considered several options, including a career as an astrophysicist! In the end, I decided to pursue a degree in math and computer science. I first became interested in computer science in ninth grade, during a competition where I had to create a small website: I loved it.
During my bachelor's degree, I discovered the true scope of computer science: operating systems, programming... With a complicated start as a bonus (“I didn't understand anything in my first Java class”). But I persevered. Later, I discovered cryptography: I was fascinated, I could already see myself hacking, decoding secret messages... That's why I found and applied for the Master's in Computer Science at the University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines.
Without knowing it, I was already setting my sights on research.
So it was your internship that led you to research?
Yes. I met a passionate professor who became my thesis advisor. I discovered an environment where we discuss, brainstorm, and then collectively put ideas to the test. It was a working environment where exchanges were particularly lively, and I really loved it!
So I decided to focus my career in this field, and my second year of my master's degree was a research M2 (rather algorithmic, without any material dedicated to HPC, which I am doing now), but my internship led me to HPC.
After your thesis, you went to Berkeley. What did that bring you?
First of all, proof that I was capable of doing it. Going away alone for a year, changing languages, encountering other ways of working... it was a great learning experience. I was between the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of Berkeley. I also rubbed shoulders with “stars” in the field such as James Demmel and Katherine Yelick, which was very inspiring.
And then you came to Inria?
Yes. I wanted to come back to France. My partner was in Grenoble, so I applied for a postdoc at Inria. It was my former thesis supervisor who encouraged me to apply for a research position. I didn't think I was good enough, but he believed in me... I gave it a try and was hired on the first attempt.
Research and core expertise
If you had to sum up your core expertise in one sentence?
Helping developers create correct and efficient programs.
What types of applications do you work on?
HPC touches on a huge number of fields. I've worked on cardiac arrhythmia simulations with the Carmen team. My team have collaborated with Airbus on aeronautical acoustics, with Eviden on meteorology, and also with the CEA. In reality, HPC is everywhere: I really feel like I'm making a difference in a wide variety of fields.
What do you like most about your job?
The variety. No two days are ever the same. And then there's the interaction: conferences, collaborations, travel... it's extremely rewarding.
Any recent achievements you're proud of?
A project launched in 2020: using machine learning to automatically detect errors in parallel programs. It was risky, but we obtained exploratory funding, a thesis is underway, and we've submitted our first paper.
How would you explain your field to a high school student?
Many phenomena are difficult, if not impossible, to study in real conditions: too dangerous, too costly, or on too small or too large a scale (diseases, astrophysical phenomena, etc.). So we use programs that “replay” these phenomena based on physical equations. Once the models have been written, I step in to improve the performance and reliability of these programs.
Commitments and gender equality
You are involved in “Moi Informaticienne, Moi Mathématicienne” (Me, Computer Scientist, Me, Mathematician). Why?
The “Moi Informaticienne, Moi Mathématicienne” program is an immersion course launched by the University of Bordeaux in 2019, aimed at middle and high school girls (9th and 10th graders). For a week, they attend lectures, participate in workshops, visit the campus and the Inria center, and take part in speed meetings with female students and professionals. We try as much as possible to introduce them to women who work in science. This is very important to me: we need to give girls confidence. I myself almost gave up applying to Inria because of a discouraging comment... If it was because I was a woman, that's sad. I want them to feel legitimate.
Have you ever experienced sexism in research?
Not directly. I've always been surrounded by respectful people. However, we can't ignore the underrepresentation of women in science. In prep school, there were two girls. You get used to it quickly... but it's not normal.
How do you explain this underrepresentation?
Many young girls become discouraged. The family environment plays a big role: I was lucky to have parents who encouraged me. My father, who was passionate about science, always told me, “Where there's a will, there's a way.”
During my talks, I notice that attitudes are changing, but certain phrases still stand out, like the first-grade student who was convinced that “boys are smarter than girls.” Self-censorship mechanisms start very early on.
Do you have any memorable moments with the participants?
The end-of-week presentations. They present what they've learned in front of a packed auditorium. I'm really impressed by their confidence.
Why this interest in mediation?
I was “recruited” for the Science Festival as soon as I arrived at Inria, and I loved it. Explaining things forces you to simplify, to take a step back. And then you also have to show the general public what we do with public money and break down clichés. My mother still imagines scientists to be like Doc from Back to the Future!
What is your view of the place of women in computer science today?
During the Science Festival, a teacher showed me a graph: the proportion of girls in science has returned to the levels of 50 years ago. The problem lies at the source: attitudes, self-confidence, the influence of teachers. My little sister was advised not to take maths as a specialism... she took it anyway and got 16 in her baccalaureate.
Three levers to move things forward?
- Multiply initiatives such as “Moi Informaticienne, Moi Mathématicienne” (I am a Computer Scientist, I am a Mathematician) or “Tech Pour Toutes” (Tech for All).
- Ensure truly equal recruitment, taking into account maternity leave, for example.
- Promote women and also involve men so that it is a collective effort.
Portrait & balance
A phrase that describes you?
“Where there's a will, there's a way,” a phrase my father used to say. It helped me overcome my shyness: you surprise yourself by achieving things you never thought possible.
What recharges your batteries?
My ten-month-old son. He gives me a lot of energy and happiness. I also have hobbies that are very important to me. I've been sewing for a while: I wanted to spend less time in front of screens and do something manual and useful (I'm short, so pants are always too long!).
I started by learning how to hem, then I took up crochet, invested in a serger, and sewed increasingly technical garments. It clears my head, and I'm proud of it.
How do you manage your work-life balance?
Mediation helps me: I don't see it as work. But let's be honest: research never really stops. Ideas sometimes pop into my head when I'm walking down the street... I try to channel them rather than cut them off completely.